ML19331D016
| ML19331D016 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/11/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Krafsig J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8008270098 | |
| Download: ML19331D016 (5) | |
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UNITED STATES p'J, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I
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Ms. Judith A. Krafsig 224-4 Lafayette Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109
Dear Ms. Krafsig:
I am writing in response to your letter to President Carter regarding your concerns about Three Mile Island.
I regret that this answer to your letter has been delayed for se long. The accident and its consequences have created a substantial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented me from responding to you as promptly as I would have liked.
Information about the accident made available to the public was confusing for a number of reasons. Some problems were attributable to the sources of infor-mation, some to the way in which information was made available to the press, and some to how the press reported the information it obtained. NRC's infor-mation was not always complete nor, in some instances, wholly accurate.
We recognize the importance of making complete and accurate information available to the public. Consequently, we have made specific plans for providing informa-tion to the public for such potentially serious accidents as occurred at Three Mile Island. These plans include making the availability of public information part of NRC's and the utilities' emergency response planning. Under this colicy, the utilities must provide offsite locations for newscenters. We also plan to appoint a senior NRC official responsible for coordinating NRC information activi-ties during an emergency. By centralizing the gathering and dissemination of NRC's information, we will provide the public with relevant and timely information.
Tk2 small dose of radiation that people in the area received came from radio-dCtive gases that escaped from the ' auxiliary building. The preliminary findings of the radioactive materials released are contained in the interagency task force report, " Population Dose and Health Impact of the Accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station" (NUREG-0558), a summary of which is enclosed. The average dose of radioactivity the population within 50 miles of TMI received was l
approximately 4 millirems. The maximum exposure to any individual was less than l
100 millirems, which is less than the yearly dose each perscn receives as a re-sult of natural background radiatian. Doses at these levels result in less than one health effect over the lifetims of all people in this area. Natural back-i
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ground radiation people in the Harrisburg area receive is approximately 125 millirems per year. To put these doses into perspective, note that a traveler flying round trip by jet from New York to Los Angeles receives 5 millfrems of l
cosmic rays.
Although it is generally agreed that epidemiologic studies of the resident population of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, could not detect any excess morbidity or mortality due to radiation exposure from the accident at the Three Mile Island facility, the Center for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department BWU
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Ms. Judith A. Krafsig Aug 11 gggg of Health (with assistance from the NRC) have conducted a census of the popula-tion residing within 5 miles of Three Mile Island for the purpose of providing an adequate registry for potential future studies of health effects. Th'e Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also is planning to update the population registry every 5 years over the next 3 decades.
In ad-dition, the Health Department and several Pennsylvania universities are plan-ning or already are conducting studies of health effects, including pregnancy outcome, congenital and postnatal thyroid diseases, mental health, and cyto-genetic abnormalities.
Although it is unlikely that these studies will be able to unravel the complex etiology of these health effects, the NRC is monitoring the studies and assist-ing where possible through its Radiological Health Standards Branch.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), in a decision and order of June 15,1979, ruled that costs of damages caused by the accident at Three Mile Island would not be included in the present rate base for customers of Metro-politan Edison and the Pennsylvania Electric Company. These customers will, however, be responsible for costs associated with purchasing power to replace power that the TMI facility would have provided. The Pennsylvania PUC reaffirmed this decision in an order of May 23, 1980.
In the same order, it also ruled that Three Mile Island Unit 1 be removed from the Metropolitan Edison and Pennsylvania Electric Company rate bases. As a result, their customers will be free of all maintenance, interest, and capital cost expenses associated with Unit 1.
Should Unit 1 be returned to service, costs associated with its operation would, of course, become part of the rate structure.
While we are, of course, concerned about financial impacts on consumers, the NRC's primary responsibility is the assurance of public health and safety.
State pubite utility commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission have primary responsibility regarding the rates that consumers pay for elec-tricity. They should be able to provide information for your use.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of Three Mile Island, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether TNI Unit 1 should be operated and, if so, under what condi-tions the restart would take place. Prior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff will conduct a review of technical information concerning the restart of Unit 1.
As part of this review, the NRC staff wilI conduct meetings with the licensee in the presence of the public, and the public will be given the oppor-tunity to raise questions and to make statements. During the hearing, the technical issues that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be addressed.
In addition, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has indicated that NRC should consider the psychological impact of future operation on the nearby communities. A copy of the Commission Order that out-lines the issues to be considered is also enclosed for your information.
Ms. Judith A. Krafsig II IS As for Unit 2, the licensee has not yet sutnitted to the NRC a proposal for overall plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feasibility studies.
It is not possible at this time to determine when sisch proposals for recovery may be submitted or how much time will be needed for the required reviews and approvals in connection with Unit 2's recovery.
I would note, however, that the licensee's authority to operate Unit 2, except for those actions necessary to keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20, 1979.
I appreciate your concerns and assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public, not only at Three Mile Island, but also at all nuclear power plants.
Sincerely, G. ia.u'N,
Bernard J. Sny r, Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
Summary of NUREG-0558 2.
Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979
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Harrisburg, PA 17109 April 9, 1979 President Jimmy Carter The White House Washington, D. C.
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>!r. President:
As a resident of a Harrisburg, PA suburb located approximately seven miles from Three >!ile Island, I am writing to express my concern and utter disgust at the recent accident at this nuclear power olan+
Harrisburg has been my home for 22 of the 23 years of my life.
It was dis-heartening and frightening to me to feel such fear for my safety on the morn-ing of >! arch 30, 1979, that I left my home and traveled to Pittsburgh. Even more alarming was the fact that my parents, refusing to leave, remained in the area. Additionally, the fear of a complete meltdown or hydrogen explosion made me wonder whether or not I would ever see my family, friends, or home again.
The situation was unpleasant for many. Speaking for myself, the trauma I ex-perienced surpassed no other in my lifetime. Conflicting news reports were anything but reassuring, and the obvious econnmic v.s.. human " faty enncaras of afetropolitan Edison were inexcusable.
The damage has been done.
Economically, this niaca T Mve._sallad hone has been ruined. _.The constant and (oftentimes) dangerously high emissions of
~~ dioactive materials will eventually have a deleterious 'a.ffect on the health ra of, among others, my generation.
I do not feel that we should have to pay for the mistakes of a select few with our money or our lives and health.
And Str. President, where is the assurance that something like this or worse will not happen again in the future...?
I am a professional,in.the health planning fie.ld,,and gm_ currently employed by W 6sith Systems. Agency.
As such, I am fully aware of the long-te5n effects
~ 'of low level radiation on the human body. Where, sir, is the governmental con-cern for the health of the people? Where are the medical exams that should be given free of charre to the people within a 20 mile radius of the_ plant (if not greater)? Why is there so much concern over who w~ill pay ror the electricity that Stet Ed had to buv from other sources, rather than the welfare of area
' residents? It lookUs though government officials think that 5fet Ed has suffered more than the residents of south central Pennsylvania!!
.. o President Jimmy Carter page two In closing, I appeal to you and everyone else concerned to close Three Mile Island PERMANENTLY!! This incident depicts so clearly how little even the so-called experts know about nuclear power. Our energies should be geared toward development of the use of less ha:ardous energy sources..
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Mr. President, you serve as a voice for the people who elected you.
I am one of mary who wish to use you to make my voice heard. Please don't let myself or the residents of my home suffer in fear of another nuclear necid--t.
Thank you for your time to this most important matter.
Very truly yours, a
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r-x.,s Judith A. Kra sig I
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